Angry Dave Gahan Claims Depeche Mode Turned Down Brits Lifetime Achievement Award

Angry Dave Gahan Claims Depeche Mode Turned Down Brits Lifetime Achievement Award

As they prepare to release new album Delta Machine, Depeche Mode have lashed out at the Brits, claiming that they walked away from a Lifetime Achievement Award this year, after learning that ITV would not be broadcasting their live performance. Singer Dave Gahan, never one to mince his words, told The Sun in a recent interview, why he was not enamoured with the awards ceremony after their recent debacle.

“F*** the Brits,” began Gahan’s diatribe. “Let me tell you a story. I will probably get someone in trouble, but we were told we were getting a new award this year. Most Influential Band In The Last 20 Years or something? Basically the old bastard, Lifetime Achievement Award — and we said, ‘Yes that’s cool.’ Then we heard through the grapevine ITV wouldn’t broadcast our segment. So we said, ‘If they won’t play us on air, then we’re not going to be their most influential band.’” In the end, the award was omitted from this year’s ceremony, with the Brits choosing instead to honour the work of the War Child charity and its symbiotic relationship with the music industry. Gahan seemed resolutely miffed about the awards, though, ending his outburst by saying “How many other bands have had as many hits as us worldwide and been around for as long? F*** them then and b****cks to it.

The band’s thirteenth album, Delta Machine, has been well-received by critics as the band continue to forge a progressive musical path, 33 years after their first hit. 

Watch a live studio session from Depeche Mode